Copyright 2005 LWVO

GerrymanderingGerrymandering Where do we draw the district lines? -or- Why redistricting should be important to you Why redistricting should be important to you! Where do we draw the district lines? -or- Why redistricting should be important to you Why redistricting should be important to you!

Gerrymandering The act of dividing an area into election units to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible.

Gargoyles out…

…Doughnuts and Ink Blots in Montgomery County, Ohio18th Congressional District, Texas

Gerry- mandering… the possibilities are endless

The candidates pick the voters instead of the voters picking the candidates.

Effects of Gerrymandering Less competitive elections. Less accountability from elected officials. Less representative governments. The vote is diluted with gerrymandering. Less competitive elections. Less accountability from elected officials. Less representative governments. The vote is diluted with gerrymandering.

Less Competitive Elections In the past 3 election cycles, an average of only 7 out of 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives were defeated. Nationally, only about 50 seats can be described as competitive. In the past 3 election cycles, an average of only 7 out of 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives were defeated. Nationally, only about 50 seats can be described as competitive.

Less Competitive Elections The number of U.S. House of Representatives seats that changed parties over various four-year election periods - out of 435 seats The number of U.S. House of Representatives seats that changed parties over various four-year election periods - out of 435 seats

Less Competitive Elections Ohio’s Congressional Seats Ohio’s Senate Seats Ohio’s House Seats Ohio’s President’s race Wide Margins of Victory except for Presidential Race 2004 Elections Margin of Victory

Incumbents are very safe despite state-wide problems Legislators are more concerned about party ideology than finding common ground Less Accountability Among Elected Officials

Runaway Victories - Lopsided districts where one party is almost guaranteed victory are growing. Percentage of Incumbents Winning by 60% or more.

“Gerrymandering is discriminatory districting practiced to inflate one party’s strength and to dilute the other party’s strength… Why run hard if you can win by running easy? Why run hard when you can rig the race before it begins?” Mike Curtin; Columbus Dispatch; LWVO SHD 2005 “Gerrymandering is discriminatory districting practiced to inflate one party’s strength and to dilute the other party’s strength… Why run hard if you can win by running easy? Why run hard when you can rig the race before it begins?” Mike Curtin; Columbus Dispatch; LWVO SHD 2005

Less Representative Government Ohio Senate Districts

Less Representative Government The doughnut district story… Montgomery County, Ohio The doughnut district story… Montgomery County, Ohio

Less Representative Government The Dayton Daily News reported: ratio of one political party Term limits - not a solution The Dayton Daily News reported: ratio of one political party Term limits - not a solution

In other words… The fix is in.

Voting Rights Act and Minority-Controlled Districts Enacted by Congress in 1965 The Act was amended in 1982 to require that certain jurisdictions take steps to give minority voters an opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.

Voting Rights Act and Minority-Controlled Districts But has the Voting Rights Act made a difference? The VRA is set to expire and be reauthorized next year

The role of the Ohio Constitution How Ohio Districts Are Currently Drawn

General Assembly district lines Apportionment Board Congressional Districts Legislative Process General Assembly district lines Apportionment Board Congressional Districts Legislative Process

Candidates should have to sweat!

Redistricting Reform Redistricting reform is no panacea, but it is a start.

Redistricting Reform Possibilities

What the LWV Supports Taking the politics out of the process. Taking the politics out of the process.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. Voters have a responsibility to learn about the issues in order to make informed choices. League of Women Voters of Ohio Democracy is not a spectator sport. Voters have a responsibility to learn about the issues in order to make informed choices. League of Women Voters of Ohio